1. Welcome to Tundras.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tundra discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other Tundra owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Considering a career change, any cdl drivers in here?

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussion' started by Wahayes, Jul 21, 2021.

  1. Jul 21, 2021 at 1:35 PM
    #1
    Wahayes

    Wahayes [OP] Older I get the wiser I realize my dad was

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2019
    Member:
    #36539
    Messages:
    1,745
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Will
    Vehicle:
    2017 tundra limited
    325/60r20 falken at3w, 2.25 dobinsons ,20x9 +20 fuel torque wheels, leer xr100, bmc
    I currently am a fraud operations manager. I make a good living and have been in banking for 16 years total. Only one problem. I hate my job. It's like babysitting grownups. I was going to hold out for an analyst position but I've been trying for that for 3 years and am hitting a wall. (I was a legal analyst at another bank and loved it but family circumstances led to my current company). I'm 37 years old and all my other experience is in trades , ironworking , welding, home construction, law enforcement. Never going back to LE before someone mentions this lol.

    Really don't want to revisit any previous trades I've done but have been kicking around the idea of getting my cdl. I've driven big trucks before in high school (family farm) so I know I can handle them, but wanted opinion of anyone who drives for a living . I would not do otr , would be either regional or local only. Have 2 kids and a wife, 1 kid in high school the other graduated.
     
  2. Jul 21, 2021 at 2:02 PM
    #2
    GayFish

    GayFish Member

    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2016
    Member:
    #3654
    Messages:
    111
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chris
    Vehicle:
    2016 Super White SR5 CM 5.7L 4X4
    Second hand info, but have friends who work for local beer distributers. Make good money running local routes to bars and restaurants, it's also sort of a sales position so there is commission. Typically they start out as merchandisers(stock shelves) and the company provides the CDL training as the move up. There's a lot of lifting, so not so good if you have back issues.
     
    mav7021234 and Wallygator like this.
  3. Jul 21, 2021 at 2:04 PM
    #3
    dpast88

    dpast88 New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2019
    Member:
    #36348
    Messages:
    825
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Dennis
    Furlong, PA
    Vehicle:
    2015 Tree
    My dad has been driving big rigs his whole life. Starting out he had to go cross country for 5-10 years which was miserable for him and our family. Now that he has a local gig with UPS and is home on a daily basis it isn't too bad. I think there are better career choices out there if you are starting over.
     
  4. Jul 21, 2021 at 2:14 PM
    #4
    Winning8

    Winning8 New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 4, 2019
    Member:
    #32819
    Messages:
    1,986
    Gender:
    Male
    Da Bay Area
    Vehicle:
    2019 MGM DC 4x4 SR5
    Mumba 18x9 ET 12, BFG KO2, FOX suspension, diamond back HD cover w/ rack, LED head & fog light bulb, TRD rear sway bar, timbren enhancement, RAS helper spring, avs auto shade, Carhartt front seat cover, bench seat cover
    What I heard, semi truck driver don’t make that much money anymore all my friends that drive semi change trade
     
  5. Jul 21, 2021 at 2:28 PM
    #5
    Wahayes

    Wahayes [OP] Older I get the wiser I realize my dad was

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2019
    Member:
    #36539
    Messages:
    1,745
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Will
    Vehicle:
    2017 tundra limited
    325/60r20 falken at3w, 2.25 dobinsons ,20x9 +20 fuel torque wheels, leer xr100, bmc
  6. Jul 21, 2021 at 2:49 PM
    #6
    Festerw

    Festerw New Member

    Joined:
    May 7, 2017
    Member:
    #7600
    Messages:
    3,692
    Gender:
    Male
    Cambridge Springs, PA
    Vehicle:
    04 Tundra DC
    Not sure what your area is like but the local school districts are seemingly always looking for bus drivers and pay well.

    There are a few bus fleets around too that provide training but I'm not sure how they are.
     
  7. Jul 21, 2021 at 2:56 PM
    #7
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2016
    Member:
    #2766
    Messages:
    35,615
    Gender:
    Male
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    LML 3500HD
    Calibrated Power 5 Tune pack, Allison 1000 tune, PPE deep trans pan, Cold/Hot CAC pipes, Banks CAI, PCV reroute, resonator delete, S&B 62 gal fuel tank, B&W GN hitch
  8. Jul 21, 2021 at 3:01 PM
    #8
    Wahayes

    Wahayes [OP] Older I get the wiser I realize my dad was

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2019
    Member:
    #36539
    Messages:
    1,745
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Will
    Vehicle:
    2017 tundra limited
    325/60r20 falken at3w, 2.25 dobinsons ,20x9 +20 fuel torque wheels, leer xr100, bmc
    Yea the confusing part I'm finding is info is all over the place. Some people say it pays well, some says it pays horrible. Mainly I'm wanting some reliable info from people in the industry. I'm in a position where if I don't find it's viable or if it doesn't pay well, I'd just stay with my current company and keep holding out for an analyst role. I'm fortunate enough though that my job does take good care of me. I just haven't enjoyed it quite awhile.
     
    Drainbung, Wallygator and camron1039 like this.
  9. Jul 21, 2021 at 4:15 PM
    #9
    Toyokuhl

    Toyokuhl New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 9, 2018
    Member:
    #20371
    Messages:
    636
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    aaron
    SWFL
    Vehicle:
    2018 Cav Blue CM OR
    I'm heading into changing careers as well. I'm not here to give you ideas, so I apologize, I'm advance. I work in corrections currently. My wife and I work so much OT that we can't stand it. This is leading us to finish the sale on our house, pack up and start over, in Florida :). The point is, I hate my job. I am excellent at it. But I hate it. My wife hates her job. We are starting over and looking to make less and spend more time together.

    If you hate your job, you know what to do.
     
  10. Jul 21, 2021 at 4:29 PM
    #10
    Wahayes

    Wahayes [OP] Older I get the wiser I realize my dad was

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2019
    Member:
    #36539
    Messages:
    1,745
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Will
    Vehicle:
    2017 tundra limited
    325/60r20 falken at3w, 2.25 dobinsons ,20x9 +20 fuel torque wheels, leer xr100, bmc
    That's is exactly how I feel. I'm great at my current job. Always have been. But as I get older I am less and less of a people person (never really was a people person to begin with , but I faked it well) which when you are a people manager causes alot of stress. Faking caring about my employees and their issues is becoming exhausting. I've always been good at it bc I treat people fairly and like adults and filter upper management bs out so they don't have to
     
  11. Jul 21, 2021 at 4:31 PM
    #11
    Brettstation37

    Brettstation37 New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2020
    Member:
    #44254
    Messages:
    492
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Brett
    Catskills NY
    Vehicle:
    2020 Tundra CrewMax TRD Sport
    CDL B here, drive many years for propane companies, now work for a highway dept. Hauling dirt blacktop and plowing snow in the winter is what I do now
     
    Ely010606, Wallygator and Wahayes[OP] like this.
  12. Jul 21, 2021 at 4:33 PM
    #12
    Wahayes

    Wahayes [OP] Older I get the wiser I realize my dad was

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2019
    Member:
    #36539
    Messages:
    1,745
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Will
    Vehicle:
    2017 tundra limited
    325/60r20 falken at3w, 2.25 dobinsons ,20x9 +20 fuel torque wheels, leer xr100, bmc
    What are things to look out for ?do you have any advice for someone starting out? Do you think you would do it again if you could do it o ver?
     
  13. Jul 21, 2021 at 4:37 PM
    #13
    Toyokuhl

    Toyokuhl New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 9, 2018
    Member:
    #20371
    Messages:
    636
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    aaron
    SWFL
    Vehicle:
    2018 Cav Blue CM OR
    I could not have said it better myself. The only positive to my job is I can tell someone when they are full of bs and there are no repercussions lol

    I digress, time for me to move on. Life is a journey.
     
  14. Jul 21, 2021 at 4:40 PM
    #14
    Wahayes

    Wahayes [OP] Older I get the wiser I realize my dad was

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2019
    Member:
    #36539
    Messages:
    1,745
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Will
    Vehicle:
    2017 tundra limited
    325/60r20 falken at3w, 2.25 dobinsons ,20x9 +20 fuel torque wheels, leer xr100, bmc
    Yep, I can't do that lol as a matter of fact, as my career progresses, our industry is catering more and more to the snowflake generation and we are having to be more and more careful to not upset anyone's feelings even when they are the worst employee ever and can't do their job. It's hard to manage
     
  15. Jul 21, 2021 at 4:41 PM
    #15
    knoxville36

    knoxville36 New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2018
    Member:
    #23098
    Messages:
    1,426
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mike
    Knoxville, TN
    Vehicle:
    2024 GMC Sierra 1500 Elevation w/3.0 Duramax
    From someone that works at a company employing about 35 CDL drivers, I can tell you drivers are a real need! Overall as a whole there has been a shortage in recent years. More drivers getting out because they do not like all of the E logs and technology that has been forced on them. We have raised our drivers substantially over the past couple years. Driver pay has really increased around here as everyone are looking for drivers.

    Before working where I do now, I spent 15+ years in the petroleum and lube industry. Those drivers made really good money with their hazmat endorsement. Nothing for them to make $75k+ and you are home every night.

    If that is something you want to do, now is no better time.
     
  16. Jul 21, 2021 at 4:45 PM
    #16
    knoxville36

    knoxville36 New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2018
    Member:
    #23098
    Messages:
    1,426
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mike
    Knoxville, TN
    Vehicle:
    2024 GMC Sierra 1500 Elevation w/3.0 Duramax
    Speaking of this. My best friends dad got bored with his job and is the exact same thing. He went to TN truck Driving School about 2 years ago.

    He got out of school and pretty much had his pick. He just a large carrier asked out of Nashville. He leaves and does loads and is gone for a month at a time. Goes all out the western states and absolutely loves it! He gets to see a lot. He is divorced so getting out of the house so it fits him.
     
    Wahayes[OP] likes this.
  17. Jul 21, 2021 at 4:45 PM
    #17
    Wahayes

    Wahayes [OP] Older I get the wiser I realize my dad was

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2019
    Member:
    #36539
    Messages:
    1,745
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Will
    Vehicle:
    2017 tundra limited
    325/60r20 falken at3w, 2.25 dobinsons ,20x9 +20 fuel torque wheels, leer xr100, bmc
    Around here where I live there seems to be tons of fuel driver jobs 90-100k year and also lots of excavation dump drivers in the 60-70k range both home everyday. I never paid much attention to driver pay, but it seems much higher than the last time I paid attention which was back around 2002 or so. @knoxville36 do you feel it is a good career ? I know the eld you talk about from researching. Are they mad bc they can't cheat the books anymore ? Or just old school should not wanting to learn
     
  18. Jul 21, 2021 at 4:48 PM
    #18
    Wahayes

    Wahayes [OP] Older I get the wiser I realize my dad was

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2019
    Member:
    #36539
    Messages:
    1,745
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Will
    Vehicle:
    2017 tundra limited
    325/60r20 falken at3w, 2.25 dobinsons ,20x9 +20 fuel torque wheels, leer xr100, bmc
    Yea I can't do the otr thing bc of wife and kids. But if I was single , I'd be sold on that lol I've always enjoyed driving anything with wheels and a motor. Drove/operated skytracks when I was ironworking, occasionally a crane as well. Tbh I fit in better with that kind of worker too than anything I've met in the office...... except my wife... met her there lol
     
  19. Jul 21, 2021 at 4:54 PM
    #19
    knoxville36

    knoxville36 New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2018
    Member:
    #23098
    Messages:
    1,426
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mike
    Knoxville, TN
    Vehicle:
    2024 GMC Sierra 1500 Elevation w/3.0 Duramax
    You have no idea how hard it was for us to find drivers when I was in the petroleum industry. Your $90k to $100k is probably not far off. Ours were not quite that, but typically our drivers would do 4 12 hour shifts, home every night.

    As mentioned before, I changed careers 2 years ago and your second example is really really good example of what I currently am in!

    Dump truck drivers with 0 experience will be $18/hr. to start with 0 experience. Your experienced guys will be $22-$25 if you want to keep the good drivers. You will see a ton of hours once weather breaks in spring through fall. 60 hours per week in not uncommon, but you are home every night. Fall and winter can slow down. A lot of guys go on hunting trips, vacations, etc.. Some guys are good about saving for winter when not a lot of hours, some aren't. $60-$70k would be very accurate for paving, excavation, comstruction, etc...

    Keep in mind I am on the desk/financial side but I deal with them on a daily basis!:)
     
    Wahayes[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  20. Jul 21, 2021 at 4:57 PM
    #20
    Burdturger

    Burdturger New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2019
    Member:
    #36450
    Messages:
    677
    I've been told by owner/operators that lease out their rigs that its very hard to find drivers that are willing to put in miles. I get the impression that if you want to make money you really need to own your own truck and be willing to travel a lot of long distance. Be prepared for high maintenance costs and losing a lot of money when you are down and trust me you will be down.

    FWIW, looks like we are the same age and I also came from a banking/financial background (series 7, 63, 65, 9/10 certified) for 11 years and totally know what you mean by babysitting (last job was annuity and life insurance supervision). I threw all of that away and went into business for myself and haven't looked back. Feel free to PM me if you want to chat more about what I do now but either way good luck to whatever you decide to do.
     
    des2mtn and Wahayes[OP] like this.
  21. Jul 21, 2021 at 5:22 PM
    #21
    Wahayes

    Wahayes [OP] Older I get the wiser I realize my dad was

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2019
    Member:
    #36539
    Messages:
    1,745
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Will
    Vehicle:
    2017 tundra limited
    325/60r20 falken at3w, 2.25 dobinsons ,20x9 +20 fuel torque wheels, leer xr100, bmc
    That's good to hear. Yea from what I can tell my area is slated slightly higher paying for local jobs. I know I'd have to prob do some long haul the first year to get exp.
     
  22. Jul 21, 2021 at 5:24 PM
    #22
    Wahayes

    Wahayes [OP] Older I get the wiser I realize my dad was

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2019
    Member:
    #36539
    Messages:
    1,745
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Will
    Vehicle:
    2017 tundra limited
    325/60r20 falken at3w, 2.25 dobinsons ,20x9 +20 fuel torque wheels, leer xr100, bmc
    Finance will kill your soul lol that and I live in constant fear of "the layoff" which has been constantly looming
     
  23. Jul 21, 2021 at 5:33 PM
    #23
    Brettstation37

    Brettstation37 New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2020
    Member:
    #44254
    Messages:
    492
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Brett
    Catskills NY
    Vehicle:
    2020 Tundra CrewMax TRD Sport
    would I do it over again, Yes! I enjoy it more so when I was delivering propane cause I enjoyed being out by myself and not having anyone barking in my ear all day! It’s fun! Always need to be aware of your surroundings and make sure your truck is tip top shape, DOT is a pain in the… I was fortunate to work for companies that safety was always number one and trucks were very well maintained. Working for a municipality like I do now I have people in charge that don’t care when I have issues with the trucks. DOT doesn’t bother government trucks, we get the wave and keep it moving! There’s a lot of money to made out there over the road and locally! Find what suits you!
     
    Wahayes[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  24. Jul 21, 2021 at 5:37 PM
    #24
    Wahayes

    Wahayes [OP] Older I get the wiser I realize my dad was

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2019
    Member:
    #36539
    Messages:
    1,745
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Will
    Vehicle:
    2017 tundra limited
    325/60r20 falken at3w, 2.25 dobinsons ,20x9 +20 fuel torque wheels, leer xr100, bmc
    That's good to hear. I know used to (2007 ish or so) to make any real money fudging the books and running longer than allowed was the name of the game, has that changed with the switch to eld or in the industry as a whole? My buddy worked for a welp known company I won't name back then and he said they didn't tell him to break the law when he was out of hours , but if he did they "looked the other way" and if you didn't you couldn't get miles to make a living. Is this still common in the industry or has that changed. Also your views on it are kind of what I feel I would enjoy as well
     
  25. Jul 21, 2021 at 5:41 PM
    #25
    Brettstation37

    Brettstation37 New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2020
    Member:
    #44254
    Messages:
    492
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Brett
    Catskills NY
    Vehicle:
    2020 Tundra CrewMax TRD Sport
    I haven’t filled any hours log in 5 years because I’m only NY state, I’m med cert exempt because I work for a town but I can’t drive for anyone else or out of state
     
    Wahayes[OP] likes this.
  26. Jul 21, 2021 at 5:45 PM
    #26
    Brettstation37

    Brettstation37 New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2020
    Member:
    #44254
    Messages:
    492
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Brett
    Catskills NY
    Vehicle:
    2020 Tundra CrewMax TRD Sport
    Just actually got my license renewal papers in the mail today $184 in which my job will reimburse in full (in our contract) I’m 5 years in state retirement system and at $75k a year without OT…when the snow flies I’m in it and hogging it all, not bad for a small town job 5 miles up the road from home
     
    Wahayes[OP] likes this.
  27. Jul 21, 2021 at 5:47 PM
    #27
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2016
    Member:
    #2766
    Messages:
    35,615
    Gender:
    Male
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    LML 3500HD
    Calibrated Power 5 Tune pack, Allison 1000 tune, PPE deep trans pan, Cold/Hot CAC pipes, Banks CAI, PCV reroute, resonator delete, S&B 62 gal fuel tank, B&W GN hitch
    If you do start driving commercially, just remember the 1 to 10 rule.

    For every 1 safe vehicle safety space you have in front of you, there are 10 dumb MF'rs that need to cut you off and slam on the brakes. This is constant like gravity.

    The wife and I both dumped our Class A CDL's when we could.
     
    CassND, Kgfit85, 1lowlife and 4 others like this.
  28. Jul 21, 2021 at 5:49 PM
    #28
    Brettstation37

    Brettstation37 New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2020
    Member:
    #44254
    Messages:
    492
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Brett
    Catskills NY
    Vehicle:
    2020 Tundra CrewMax TRD Sport
    Amen!
     
    CassND and ColoradoTJ[QUOTED] like this.
  29. Jul 21, 2021 at 5:55 PM
    #29
    six7zero

    six7zero New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 7, 2017
    Member:
    #7159
    Messages:
    107
    Gender:
    Male
    Pacific Northfresh 503
    Vehicle:
    15 SR5 Crewmax
    If you want a Monday-Friday job and make good money look into LTL section Old Dominion,SAIA,ABF or whatever smaller outfit that’s near you. LTL is one of the easiest job and most will start you close to 30hr and when you get some experience pulling doubles and triples you can move into their line division and that’s where you be hitting over 100k a year. I pull triples every night night Monday-Friday averaging 8-9 hrs. I did beer and food service and that job is labor intensive with not much money, maybe the food service if you put in lots of hours you can make good money. This my rig every night lol

    B139B6F6-7DEE-47B5-8E4A-9AFC2EAB77B0.jpg
     
  30. Jul 21, 2021 at 6:39 PM
    #30
    Toyokuhl

    Toyokuhl New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 9, 2018
    Member:
    #20371
    Messages:
    636
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    aaron
    SWFL
    Vehicle:
    2018 Cav Blue CM OR
    @Wahayes what part of the country are you in, if you don't mind me asking. I know this is public forum so I understand.
     

Products Discussed in

To Top